<code>
[15] WHERE IS MY EMAIL!!?? ITS IN WEBMAIL BUT NOT THE SHELL!

     Its OK, your email has probably been sorted by the email client or
     protocol you have used to read your email.  Some quick places to
     check for your email at the shell would be:

     $HOME/mbox
     $HOME/mail/mbox
     $HOME/Mail/received
    
     Traditionally your email is received and stored in what is called a
     'spool file'.  This file is defined by the $MAIL environment variable.

     'mail', 'mailx', 'mutt', 'elm' and such always read mail from that
     defined location unless told otherwise.

     However, programs such as 'pine' and 'alpine' insist on moving your
     email out of the spool and into your home directory.  This is their
     default behaviour and can be confusing to new users.  They use the
     'IMAP' or Internet Message Access Protocol.  The webmail system also
     uses IMAP.  It does have its advantages once you get over the shock 
     of thinking you've lost your email.  You haven't though, IMAP thinks
     it has improved things for you and maybe you'll feel that way someday.

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[[email|back]]